Retired Sawley medic saves his neighbour's life after he stopped breathing

A 20-YEAR-OLD asthmatic who stopped breathing for almost four minutes on Christmas Day says he owes his life to a retired paramedic neighbour who ran across the road to save him.

Pat Machin, 58, had just finished watching the Queen's speech when he heard banging on his front door and was told by 11-year-old Amber Cross- Reeson that her brother Tyla Cross, who lives opposite, had collapsed.

Mr Machin, who worked for East Midlands Ambulance Service for 24 years, said he "dropped everything" and ran across the road in his socks. He started resuscitation – and, within minutes, the air ambulance and paramedics had been scrambled to Tyla's home in Beresford Road, Sawley.

Tyla, who has suffered from asthma since birth, was rushed to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham and has since made a full recovery.

"When I got there, Tyla had gone grey and I couldn't find a pulse," said Mr Machin, who retired 12 months ago.

"I started CPR and, after three-and-a-half minutes, he suddenly gasped. So I put him on his side and waited for the paramedics. Everything I did just felt automatic."

An ambulance turned up six minutes later, followed by the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance.

Mechanic Tyla was discharged from hospital on Sunday. He said: "Without Pat, I would have been dead. No question about it. I owe him my life.

Ambulance service medical director Dr Trevor Mills said: "It's great to hear Tyla is making a good recovery. Every second counts in an emergency and it is good to know Pat was available to provide assistance while we travelled to the scene."

Mr Machin joked: "I left the service for a quiet life; I didn't expect this at Christmas!"